Before Maryland women’s soccer took the field against Binghamton on Sept. 6, the Terps took the time to celebrate five longtime players of the program on their senior day.
Two of those players shared a name. Twins Peyton and Drew Bernard celebrated together, the way they have done things for their entire lives.
Against Binghamton, Drew Bernard checked into the game for what would become her lone appearance this season, allowing the sisters to share the field.
In the 90th minute, it was Peyton Bernard
who delivered. She stepped up to the penalty spot with seconds remaining and fired the ball into the back of the net, giving Maryland the 2-1 win.
“I think it’s a special memory for them and the team,” head coach Michael Marchiano said. “I’m really happy that we were able to have them both participate in that game.”
For the Bernards, their sibling relationship goes well beyond sharing the field as teammates. They have been inseparable their entire lives, and described each other as built-in best friends.
“We haven’t really been apart for like anything, so like we always had the same friends, we always went to the same schools, like same friend groups,” Peyton Bernard said.
Despite having played soccer together for almost their entire life, it did not start that way. Peyton Bernard started a year before her sister, who at the time was doing gymnastics. Drew Bernard started going to some practices, and eventually decided to try out the sport as well.
“It more so came from our parents being like, you should try soccer,” Drew Bernard said. “And then I guess I ended up really liking it, and then I stopped doing gymnastics and started playing soccer fully with her.”
The duo’s first organized team was a rec soccer team called Orange Crush, which played in the Montgomery County youth soccer league. There, they played with their elementary school friends.
With Peyton Bernard being an attacker and Drew Bernard a defender, they used to train together all the time when they were younger. Peyton Bernard could practice her shooting and offensive skill, while Drew Bernard could work on her defending, Peyton Bernard said.
As their playing careers advanced into high school, both Drew and Peyton Bernard continued to play together at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, and their relationship grew stronger through the sport.
When the time came for the college recruiting process, the idea of playing together remained at the forefront. They always told coaches that playing together was the goal, and described themselves as a package deal. While playing at different times in college was always a possibility, when Maryland recruited both of them together, it worked out.
Despite the jump to college, their relationship shone through the new opportunity. They were each other’s college roommates and would spend time cooking dinner together or just hanging out with people together.
“I think the best part would probably be that we have really gotten to have someone to go through your firsts with,” Peyton Bernard said. “I think that college is such a unique experience and you don’t know how it is until you get here.”
Now, having spent four years with the program, the Bernards hope that their lasting impact has inspired the younger generation of girls in the DMV that playing with their twin sister is possible.
That legacy will carry on to the next generation of Maryland women’s soccer, as twins Lily and Maggie Blosser will join the program next season as true freshmen, a part of the 2027 recruiting class.
“I know that Peyton and Drew have certainly continued the legacy of twins in the program, and I hope they’re happy to pass the baton to the next set of twins,” Marchiano said. “It’s been a really good experience having them in the program.”
While both Peyton and Drew Bernard still have college eligibility left, ultimately they will move on and pursue their own careers. But again, the twins are going down a similar path. They are both real estate development majors, and they are currently in the process of acquiring their real estate licenses.
“Nothing will ever be able to break us apart,” Peyton Bernard said.
